Metal chains and bracelets, e. g. for wrist watches



3 Aug. 27, 1968 Nc; CHUE MENG 3,398,523

METAL CHAINS AND BRAELETS. 13.6. FOR WRIST WATCHES Filed Feb 2. 1966 Q 2 Sheets-Sheet l I nvenlor /V@ 0/05 ME/V A Horneys Aug. 27, 1968 N6 CHUE MENG 3,398,523

E.G. FOR WRIST WATCHES METAL CHAINS AND BRACELETS,

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb.

Inventor A s Caz/f Mag 3%m7 7 Aitorheys United States Patent Tee 3,398,523 METAL CHAINS AND BRACELETS, E.G. FOR WRIST WATCHES Ng Chue Meng, Kowloon, Hong Kong, assignor to Stetux Manufacturing Co. Ltd., San Po King, Kowloon, Hong Kong, a corporation of Hong Kong Filed Feb. 2, 1966, Ser. No. 524,423 1 Claim. (Cl. 59-80) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A wrist band or bracelet is formed of a plurality of solid metal bars each slotted in its upper and lower surfaces near to each end, and apertured between the slots at each end, linked together in close side-by-side relationship by metal rings each extending through the apertures of two adjacent bars. Adjacent sides of the bars may be in the form of flat walls slightly relatively inclined.

This invention relates to metal chains or bracelets of the non-expansive type, and particularly to those intended for personal wear and commonly referred to a bands or bracelets. Such bracelets are capable of use for personal adornment in themselves and are frequently used for the purpose of fitting a watch or other article to the wrist of the wearer.

The object of the invention is to provide a chain or bracelet of rigid components which will be simple to manufacture, of substantial strength and long life.

The invention consists in a chain or bracelet comprising a plurality of transverse solid metal bars interconnected by links extending through apertures in adjacent bars.

Each bar may be transversely slotted adjacent to its ends on each side and an aperture formed through the narrowed metal neck between each pair of slots. Metal links may extend through the apentures in the corresponding ends of two adjacent, side-by-side, bars to hold them together.

The invention will be clearly understood from the following description of one form (given, however, merely by way of example) which it may assume, and this description will be more readily followed by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein FIGURES la, b, c, and d represent, in successive stages of production, in perspective, metal bars for the formation of a chain or bracelet in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 represents in perspective several bars such as shown in FIGURE 1d in process of assembly to form a chain or bracelet; and

FIGURE 3 is a side sectional view of two bars, linked together, as shown in FIGURE 2.

In carrying the invention into effect in one convenient manner, as shown in the aforesaid drawings, there are prepared a plurality of bars which are to be linked together to form a chain. These may be formed by cutting lengths 1 (FIGURE la) of metal rod or bar of approximately rectangular or trapezium cross-section, and near to the ends of each bar, on one side, cutting transverse slots 2 (FIGURE 1b). Similar slots 3 are cut on the opposite face the bar 1 (FIGURE and centrally through the thinned metal section separating the pairs of slots 2, 3 at each end is cut an aperture 4.

3,398,523 Patented Aug. 27, 1968 An alternative method of preparing the bars which may be employed consists in taking a strip of metal of width and thickness equal respectively to the length and thickness of a bar 1, and the length of the metal strip corre sponding to the total of the widths of a number of bars 1. This metal strip may be formed from end to end, on both faces, with slots corresponding to slots 2 and 3 of the bars 1, and the srtip may then be cut transversely to separate slotted bars 1. The apertures 4 may be cut in spaced positions along the slots of the strip before the bars are separated by transverse cuts, or may be separately formed in the bars after they are cut from the strip.

The desired number of bars 1 are brought together in side by side relation (FIGURE 2) and connected together by loop links. Each link comprises a length 5 of metal strip first bent to U-shape and then fitted so that its two links pass respectively through the apertures 4 of two adjacent bars 1. The free ends of the links of the U-shaped strip 5 are then bent down and closed together (and if desired secured together by welding or otherwise) in order to form a closed ring embracing the adjacent bridge portions 6 at the sides of the apertures 4 of the two bars, (FIG- URE 3). The loop links 5 are, as illustrated, well recessed in the slots 2, 3 of the bar 1. In this way a series of bars are connected together to form a strip chain or bracelet. As seen in FIGURE 3 the bars 1 are preferably of trapezium cross-section to allow the bars to rock slightly in relation to one another in one sense, so that the band or bracelet can comfortably encircle a wearers wrist.

From the above description it will be seen that the invention provides a strong and useful band or bracelet for personal wear, but it should be understood that the invention is not limited solely to the details of the form described above, which may be modified, in order to meet various conditions and requirements encountered, without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claim.

What I claim is:

1. A wrist band or bracelet comprising a plurality of integral solid metal bars, each of length equal to the width of the band or bracelet and each of substantially uniform width from end to end, each having adjacent to each end a pair of aligned transverse slots, one in its upper surface and one in its lower surface, and an aperture through the narrowed metal portion between the bases of the slots of each pair, said bars being linked in close side to side relationship by metal rings located in the slots of adjacent bars and each extending through the apertures in the slots of two neighbouring bars and encircling the intervening bar portions defining the sides of said apertures, the facing areas of adjacent bars being substantially flat wall surfaces relatively inclined to allow slight relative rocking of the bars in their linking rings.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,799,475 4/1931 Nelson 59-80 2,055,541 9/1936 Kestenman 59-80 2,460,654 2/ 1949 Reinstein 59-80 2,536,391 1/1951 Prestinari 59-80 3,046,726 7/1962 Gay 59-80 CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner.

G. P. CROSBY, Assistant Examiner. 

